Vacancy Announcement

Job title:  

Community Health Officer (CHO)

Work Location:

Kono

Department:

Clinical

Reports to:

Medical Director/CHO Clinical Lead

Line Management

TBD

Req #:

4301

Application Status

External Advert

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

A Community Health Officer (CHO) generally applies his/her medical knowledge and skills to the diagnosis, prevention and management of patients that flows into the Wellbody Clinic or Koidu Government Hospital and any of the Wellbody Alliance/Partners in Health affiliated health facility.

He/she does this thoroughly following the principles of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation where ever applicable to find out the actual cause of disease, and also utilizing the appropriate laboratory work. He/she should consult the medical officers for discussion on patient’s care plan in some critical cases, respecting patient’s privacy and confidentiality as much as possible.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responding to medical/health problems presented by patients including proper history taking, investigations, diagnosis, treatment and referral as appropriate.
• Maintaining confidentiality and impartiality.
• Promoting continuous medical education and provide mentorship to other junior clinical staff.
• Admitting patients requiring special care followed by investigations and treatment with coverage of the wards based on the roster.
• Carrying out specific procedures as lumbar puncture, paracentesis, intubation, incision and drainage, and other minor surgical tasks and thoracentesis when necessary under the supervision of the Internal Medicine Consultant.
• Give lectures and participate in clinical education sessions about specific topics related to the medical pathology of patients.
• Ensure and maintain the medical database in collaboration with the MEQ team.
• Covering the NCD clinic and the TB/HIV clinic if it is required.
• Liaising with other medical and non-medical staff in the hospital to ensure quality treatment is giving to the patients, and promotes health education.
• Ensures that all emergency cases are prioritized and seen appropriately regardless of the time of the day.
• Be willing to work long and unpredictable hours dictated by the needs of the patients.
• Perform other duties related to the role, department or project as may be required by the Medical Director or Clinician in Charge.
• Administer and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-rays, lab tests, and ultrasound scans.
• Assist in emergency care, including stabilizing patients and preparing them for referral to higher-level care when needed.
• Provide counseling to patients and families on health conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures.
• Educate patients on lifestyle modifications, vaccinations, and other preventive healthcare measures.
• Maintain accurate medical records, including patient history, diagnoses, treatment plans, and outcomes.
• Complete and submit regular reports on patient care and health statistics to relevant authorities. Participate in public health campaigns, including vaccination drives, disease surveillance, and health education outreach.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and community health workers to promote health within the community.
• Work closely with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and specialists.
• Participate in multidisciplinary healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes.
• Provide first-line emergency care in cases of trauma, acute illness, or sudden medical conditions.
• Coordinate patient referrals and transportation to specialized care facilities when necessary

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partners In Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.  By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Education and Work Experience Requirements

• Diploma in community Health Medicine with 2-3 years’ work experience in a Clinical setting.
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to demonstrate clinical practices and ethics in line with the Medical and Dental Council of Sierra Leone
• Proven ability to exercise good judgement, demonstrate political astuteness, and tact.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internally and externally.
• This is a location based recruitment, no accommodation or relocation allowance is available for this assignment.
• Must not hold a PIN code or receive salary from consolidated funds.
• Ability to live full-time in Kono required.

Social Justice

We are a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all.

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply through our website: www.pih.org/employment.   In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Wednesday 25th September 2024